After losing just one home-and-away match for the season, Sunbury went out of finals in straight sets after the 8.9 (57) to 9.11 (65) result at a muddy Clarke Oval.

The loss brings an abrupt end to a campaign that promised so much for the Lions.

Redan will play Ballarat in this weekend's preliminary final for the right to play Lake Wendouree in the grand final. Sunbury was headed at quarter-time for the second straight week, 5.4 to 2.2, but fought back in the low-scoring game to within nine points by three-quarter-time.

The first two goals of the last quarter had Sunbury hit the front, only for Redan to respond with two goals of its own to claim victory.

"It was devastating to come up short given the season we've had," Lions president Mick Wootten said.

"I don't think the weather was an excuse, it affected both clubs to be honest. Our onballers contributed as well as they could while Redan had their taller players taken out of the game.

"I didn't see Saturday coming. I thought the team responded well to the Lake Wendouree loss and the attitude and approach was first class.

"I'm proud of the way the team applied themselves and so was [the coach] Mark [Power]."

Jamie Lobb finished with four goals for Sunbury while ruckman Pat Cariss, onballer Rod Sharp and Daniel Sahlberg were best.

Wootten declined to comment on Sunbury's run with the umpires, even though the club's statistics reflected a discrepancy of more than 20 free kicks in favour of Redan.